Today is training Day Two, and I'm not off to the best start... but tomorrow promises to be better, especially since now I'm blogging - it may only make me accountable to myself, but that's something! I'll start off by describing a little of what has brought me to this place in my life where I want to focus on fitness and getting healthier.When I was younger, I played soccer and ran cross country. I was always overweight, but I was still moderately athletic and enjoyed doing active things. I graduated college this past December. I had a great opportunity for fitness at my school, as all students had access to the gym, but I also had access to an entire buffet of food in the cafeteria. Though I did occasionally take that opportunity to work out, I gained a fair amount of weight on my already heavy frame. I had planned to run in the Memphis St. Jude 5k but ended up walking almost the entire thing. While it was still something, I wasn't exactly achieving my fitness goals.When I came home, I stopped working out entirely. I kind of ate whatever I wanted, and drank Diet Coke almost exclusively. There were times that I have gone literally days drinking nothing but Diet Coke, not even a single sip of water. Also, I began smoking (yes, sometimes I even smoked on the way to and from the gym... but don't judge me! I've quit now and am on the path to health and happiness...). I recently found out, at a doctor's visit for other reasons, that though my blood pressure is normal, I have very high cholesterol. Combine that with obesity, and it's a recipe for disaster. I'm not willing to continue down this path.Since graduation,I've had a few jobs but nothing has made me extremely happy yet. I'm ready to get my life back on track and meet some fitness goals, hopefully increasing my happiness level as I get into a healthy, active lifestyle. So my plans are: I'm planning to run in the Cleveland Marathon's 10k this May, and Vermilion's Sprint Duathlon (I'm afraid of the triathlon's open water swim) in August. Since it's only the beginning of December, I am quite confident that I can get into race shape in the allotted time. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm very excited.So today I walked for about 30 minutes (1.5 miles) and biked for 15 (3 miles). I was planning to complete Cool Running's Couch to 5k Week 1, Day 1, but I didn't want to run quite yet. I think I mostly chickened out. So I finished 1.5 miles in about 28:30. This is an important thing to note, because I am starting out almost exactly halfway to where I want to be... I want to be able to run twice as far in a similar amount of time, 30 minutes. My ultimate goal is to be able to run the 10k in just over an hour, putting me at approximately a 10 minute mile, and a 5k in just over 30 minutes.My nutrition wasn't that good today. I definitely ate some macaroni and cheese (my favorite food, and the likely cause of my high cholesterol) and drank a lot of Diet Coke, though I did have one bottle of water. Tomorrow I will eat healthier and try a Diet Coke free day... here comes the Camelbak! I'm excited for what lies ahead though. I know if I set small, attainable goals, I can get up off the couch and do something. I'm sick of just watching the Biggest Loser... I want to BE the Biggest Loser! And if they can run a marathon in about six months, I can certainly make it to a 10k! So, blogging world, this is my first goal. I want to be able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes by my 23rd birthday, February 7th. The Couch to 5k plan I'm following should have me at 3 miles in 9 weeks, which is just enough time for me to make it. I'm gonna tweak my nutrition, drink lots of water and cut back on my true love, delicious Diet Coke. I'll work out about four or five times a week, and get healthy and motivated to get out and start living life. :)Think I can do it? Stay tuned to find out.